Josh McDaniels Speaks Following Decision to Stay With Pats

Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels has yet to speak publicly about what factored into his last-minute decision to turn down the Colts head coaching job, but he did offer a few words at his Westwood, Mass. home Wednesday when asked for a comment by an NBC 10 Boston reporter.

(Published Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018)

Josh McDaniels sent ripples throughout the NFL with his decision to pull out of an agreement to become the Indianapolis Colts' head coach in order to remain the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots.

He has yet to speak publicly about what factored into the 11th hour about-face, but offered few words at his Westwood, Massachusetts home Wednesday when asked for a comment by an NBC10 Boston reporter.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' decision to remain in Foxboro after being announced as the next head coach of the Colts has fans questioning what's next.

(Published Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018)

"I love the Patriot nation," he said when asked if he had anything to say to them.

When asked a follow up question, McDaniels replied, “No, I'm not going to do any comments. Thank you.”

The brief comments came on the same day McDaniels was supposed to be introduced as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Instead, Colts general manager Chris Ballard held a press conference addressing McDaniels' decision to stay with the Patriots.

The Colts announced in a statement Tuesday night that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels had backed out after agreeing to contract terms to become Indy's head coach.

(Published Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018)

"That's his prerogative and that's his choice, he chose not to be an Indianapolis Colt," said Ballard.

McDaniels' return as New England's offensive coordinator leaves many wondering what this means for current head coach Bill Belichick, and if McDaniels is the next Patriots head coach in waiting.

Belichick gave no indication after the Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia on Sunday night that he plans to exit in 2018. And just last month he said that it was "absolutely" his intention to be back for his 19th season with the Patriots.

But at age 65, he's also the second-oldest coach in the NFL, behind only Seattle's Pete Carroll at 66.

It's unclear how McDaniels' decision will affect him regarding future opportunities with other NFL teams, a gamble should he never get the opportunity to lead the Patriots.

Ballard said in his press conference Wednesday that the assistants that McDaniels had already hired to be on his staff would have their contracts honored. If McDaniels ever leaves New England again, he will certainly have some repairs to make to his image around the league.

Responding to a suggestion that comfort with the Patriots might have played a role in McDaniels' decision, former coach and current NBC football analyst Tony Dungy said in a tweet Wednesday that "there is no excuse big enough to justify this," adding it was indefensible to leave the assistant coaches he's hired in limbo.

Charlie Weis, who was Patriots offensive coordinator from 2000 through 2004 and coached alongside McDaniels, is now an analyst on SiriusXM NFL Radio. During an appearance on Mad Dog Sports Radio he called McDaniels' decision "unbelievable."

"I think you need to win for a rivalry," said Polson, "so I don't think much of what he said."

McDaniels is one of Belichick's most-tenured assistants, having served under him a combined of 15 years (nine as offensive coordinator) over two different stints, beginning in 2001. It's a run that allowed him to be a part of all five of New England's Super Bowl wins.

The only break in his Patriots' timeline came from 2009 to 2011, when he served as the Denver Broncos coach for two seasons, followed by a stop in St. Louis as the Rams offensive coordinator in 2011. He returned to New England in 2012.

During Super Bowl week, McDaniels spoke about the support he has in New England. He said it was the biggest takeaway from his failed experience in Denver.

"It's about the people that are with you more than it is about one person," McDaniels said. "There's no doubt about that. It takes an army of good people pulling the same direction to try to have success and I think the most important thing a head coach can do."

The Patriots have rarely let people with significant institutional knowledge walk out the door since Belichick took over in 2000.